Does Capitol Tree Care have a Certified Arborist on staff?

Yes. The owner, James Burtchell, is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). James’ ISA certified number is TX-3593A.

Is Capitol Tree Care insured?

Yes. Capitol Tree Care holds a general liability policy in the amount of $1,000,000.00/ incident to protect each customer in the event of an accident. A certificate of insurance can be provided to each customer per request.

Why should we hire Capitol Tree Care over the competition?

Not only is the owner an ISA Certified Arborist, James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Science from Texas A&M University, College Station. James is ISA Texas Oak Wilt Certified, TOWC-0269 and is a ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Alongside formal education, James also has been working in the tree care industry since 2007 and has obtained years of on-the-job experience. Proper knowledge is key in the industry since there a lot “tree trimmers” out there that provide unqualified service at a cheap price.

Does Capitol Tree Care provide free estimates?

Yes. We provide free estimates for services, however we do charge for an Arborist consultation or tree assessment. Customers often overlap free estimates vs. a consultation. A consultation consists of a customer requesting an Arborist to assess a tree for safety and health or to provide recommendations before purchasing a new property. Free estimates are in place for customers looking for the cost to provide a service such as tree pruning, tree removal or health care services.

What measures does Capitol Tree Care take to protect a customer’s tree(s) from Oak Wilt?

Oak Wilt is a devastating vascular fungus that affects Live Oaks and Red Oaks. To ensure we protect each of our customer’s assets. We sterilize all saw blades before each job and seal all cuts on Oaks over ½” in diameter. We also consult our customers to avoid pruning Live Oaks and Red Oaks between February 1 – June 30.

Do I need a permit to remove my tree?

The City of Austin, TX requires a removal permit if the trunk diameter of the tree is 19” DBH or larger. DBH stands for diameter at breast height which is measured at 4.5’ from the base of the trunk.

We are about to begin construction. Can anything be done to protect our trees throughout the process?

Absolutely! Construction can be extremely stressful to a tree and can cause decline or the death of a tree. Protecting trunks and root zones, as well as supplemental watering, can maintain health and vigor and protect from possible soil compaction or physical damage to the trunk of canopy. Refer to our Construction Mitigation service page for more information!

What are some signs that my tree may not be healthy?

Poor shoot elongation and die-back at the tips of each shoot are indications that your tree may be in decline or stressed. Stunted leaf size, extremely thin canopies and chlorotic (yellowing) leaves are also indications of poor nutrition or stress.

Does Capitol Tree Care provide health maintenance?

Yes! We provide services such as soil aeration and organic health care to keep your trees healthy and promote strong tree vigor. Ask us about our ongoing maintenance plans and how they can help protect your trees!

Should I be watering my trees?

Central Texas has seen multiple years of intense drought condition resulting in the loss of 1 million trees in Texas alone. Proper watering of trees during the hot summer months will increase your tree’s ability to function, thrive and protect itself from harmful fungi and pests. To ensure proper watering, water your trees with a slow & deep application throughout the entire Critical Root Zone (CRZ) of the tree. The CRZ is the root zone located under the entire canopy of the tree. During the hottest months of the year, watering once a week is a safe practice, but also account for rainfall as to avoid keeping your soils saturated. Saturated soils can be just as detrimental to a tree as having a lack of water.

Ball Moss & Mistletoe Removal

Ball Moss & Mistletoe are removed with our pruning techniques. This can also be performed in the remainder of the canopy if needed.

Ball Moss Removal

Unlike Mistletoe, Ball Moss is an epiphyte, not a parasite; meaning it gets its nutrients from a combination of sunlight and moisture in the air. As the amount of Ball Moss increases, the number of new branch sprouts decreases. Although Ball Moss has minimal impact on a tree’s health, the plant attaches to limbs of trees for structural purposes and can be unsightly, which is why many of our customers are curious about removing it. If left unattended, it can become a serious problem by overloading your tree’s under branches and concentrating on dead or dying branches. Crown thinning will promote airflow and light penetration throughout the entire canopy, but Ball Moss removal will reduce stress and improve the overall aesthetics of your property

Mistletoe Removal

Mistletoe is quite different than Ball Moss. It is a parasite that lives by taking nutrients from the tree it attaches to and causes it stress. Although it may not be the cause of tree failure, it can cause the loss of major limbs if severely infected. Heavily infested trees may be stunted, reduced in vigor, or even killed; especially if they are stressed by other common problems found in Texas such as drought. Our team of certified tree care professionals recommends Ball Moss removal as well as Mistletoe removal when trimming your trees.

Don’t wait until your Mistletoe spreads to other limbs or trees. Capitol Tree Care provides the most efficient pruning methods for effective removal. Our arborists are experienced and well trained to recognize, diagnose and treat your trees.

If you are in need of Ball Moss removal or Mistletoe removal, then give us a call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Ball Moss and Mistletoe, and why are they a problem?

Ball Moss and Mistletoe are plants that attach to tree branches. While Ball Moss isn’t always harmful, it can block light and weaken branches. Mistletoe, however, draws nutrients from your tree and can shorten its lifespan.

How do you remove Ball Moss and Mistletoe safely?

We carefully prune affected branches and, when possible, treat the remaining areas to discourage regrowth. Our certified arborists use the least invasive methods to protect your trees.

Will these pests come back after removal?

They can, especially if nearby trees are infected. Regular monitoring and maintenance help keep them under control.

Can I remove Ball Moss or Mistletoe myself?

You can try, but improper removal may damage the tree or spread the problem. It’s best handled by professionals who know how to manage these growths safely.

When is the best time to remove Ball Moss and Mistletoe?

Late winter or early spring is ideal, before new growth starts, but removal can be done year-round if needed.

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Ball Moss & Mistletoe Removal in Austin, TX

Services

Ball Moss Removal

Mistletoe Removal

Frequently Asked Questions